Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-11-05
all my veins Il tempestuous wave was surg.
ing and rushing. lay down

ing and rushing. lay down.
This is some new deviltry of the old
man. / said to myself. .sI.et him do his
worst; at least, ! must try to bear it with
resignation" l began to speculate OH my
inevitable and approaching end, and to
wonder culiously what proportion Of the
sin Of all this drunkenness would I've laid
to my charge.
To my establishment nothing more fol-
lowed. The tumult Of my system gradu-
ally subsidized and l fell asleep.
In the morning I awoke late, and missed
the usual headache. had therefore. I
was surprised to find, actually not been
drunk the night before. l rose with nv
customary depression, and was astonished
to discover that my nerves were stcadier
and spirits higher than ! had known for a
long time.
I mechanically went to the cupboard
and pulled out my cold mutton and pota.
toes. Who can picture my JOY when |
found that l could taste the mea, again,
and that it was nasty9 l hardly believed
my senses; in fact | had los, them for so
long that it was difficult to understand
that they had como back to me. tried
h potatoes. Heavens, what Il horrible
thing to a we'll regulated palate is n cold
boiled potato!
At first, as l said, l could not believe
that l had recovered my taste; then. as
the truth forced itself upon me, and I
found that I could not only taste, but was
actually hungry, I jumped and danced
and was beside myself with joy. Think
Of q convict suddenly released and de-
clared gutltiess OF the charges brought
against him. Think'of a"prisoner on the
very ladder Of the gallows tree, With the
rope round his neck reprieted and par
doned. Think OF one doomed to death by
his physician receiving the assurance that
1t was al a mistake, and that he would
gather up long years Of life as In i sheaf.
And think that such joy as these would
feel, I felt-and more,
I went to the nearest coffee shop and or
dered bacon, eggs and tea. offering q short
grace with every plate as 1t came. And
then, because l felt sure that my old tor
mentor must BIO dead, I repaired to my
lawyers and saw the clerk.
al" he said, tho poor old mans
gone at last! Went out like the snuff Of
a candle. His illness was only twenty
four hours. Well, he's gone to heaven, If
ever man did" =
What did he die of-too much eating
and drinkings"
"Mr. I.ucraft," said the clerk severely,
this 1t not the tOne for you to adopt
toward that distinguished man, your ben
efactor. He died, sir-being Il mar of
moral, temperate, and even abstcmious
life, though Of full habit-of apoplexy."
"Oh!' said, careless what the clerk
said, but glad TO be quito sure that the
dfabolical old villain was really dead. I
suppose that mover was such Joy over the
repentance Of any sinner as mine over the
death Of that numbering glutton, for
whom no words of hatred were too strong.
~ think you've got to see our senior
partner said the clerk. .;Step this
way"
He led ME to a room where found Il
grave and elderly gentleman sitting at u
table. "Mr. l.ucrafts" he said. ~ was
expecting you. ! saw your late Patrons
negro this morning. IIe told me that you
would call"
l started, but said nothing.
81 have a communication TO make TO
you on the part Of ON departed friend,
Mr.. Ebenczer Grumbelow. IT is dated 4
few weeks since, and is to the effect that
q sum Of money which | hold was 10 be
placed in your hands in case Of his death.
This, it appears, he anticipated, for some
reason or other"
"Ebenezer Grunibelow." That wa the
name which had so long escaped my mem
ory--"Ehcnczcr Grunlbelow."
l said nothing, but stared with all nv
eyes.
"My poor FRIEND" the lawyer went on,
latter r%elnnrking that unless you change
your unfortunate habits you will come 10
no good, gave me this money himself
here is the check-so that il will not mp
pear in his last will and testament"
took 1t in silence.
"Well, sir'-hc looked ut me in some
surprisc-''have you no observation to
make. or remark to offer. on this gcner-
osity!"
"Nonc,r l said.
"l do not know he continued; IL do
not know-your signature here, il you
please-what reason Mr.. Grumbelow had
In taking you up, or what claim you pos
sessed upon HIS considerations; but I
think, sir, l do think, That some expires
sion, some sense Of regret, is due"
l buttoned up the check in my pocket.
"Mr. GrumbclOw was II philnnthropist,
l believe, sir:"
Gle was. AS q philanthropist, us u
supporter Of charities, as n public donor
Of great amounts, Mr.. G~rumbel0w's name
stands in the front. So much we all
know
"a religious man, too:"
"Surcly. surely; n of our most deeply
religious men. A man who was not
ashamed of his sanity profession"
"Cluck. cluck!' b.
II was the familiar face Of I,onle.dc.
| ncigc at the door.
You know, I suppose " said the law
l ,r, k;Nf. ft,-I13 i-I. z..-. -
truly Christian negro"
"Wns there | asked, "tuny clause in
Mr.. Grumbelow's letter-anv conditions
attached to this gift:''
".SOnc whatever. H. IL II free gift.
Stay, there is II postscript which | onght
to have read to you. You will perhaps
understand it. In it Mr.. Grumbclow says
that as to the services rendered by him to
yon, and by 0 10 him. It will be best for
your WI sake TO keep them secret" I
bowed.
III" date OF the check correspondent with
the first illness OF the old rnan-his afHec-
ton OF the throat. Probably he was
afraid that ! should reveal his infamous
story.
II may now tell you, MIR. Lucraft,
without ut all wishing to break any conf
dcnce that may have existed between you
and the deceased, that q friend Of Mr..
Grumhelow's-nO other, indeed, than the
Rev. Jabez Jnmbles, a pulpit name doubt
less known to you-intenls to write the
biography OF this distinguished and reli-
oious man. as an example to the young.
Any help yon can afford to 20 desirable an
end will be gratefully received. Particu-
larry, Mr.. Lucraft, any communication ON
the subject Of his continual help given to
young mon, who regularly disappointed
him, and all, except yourself. died of
drink"
bovuob ofru;r AND .o%,.oI